State police: Off-duty trooper died of self-inflicted gunshot wound

New York State Police BCI Captain Scott Coburn briefs the media on the death of off-duty state police officer Kerstin S. Williams Monday, June 30, at state police Troop G headquarters in Latham. Williams, who had been on the force for 18 months and was assigned to Troop F in Liberty, Sullivan County, was found dead on the shore of Nassau Lake in Rensselaer County on Sunday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
J.S. CARRAS — THE RECORD

LATHAM >> New York State Police officials late Monday confirmed the death of off-duty state Trooper Kerstin S. Williams to be the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

During a news conference at the Troop G barracks in Latham, a somber Capt. Scott Coburn of the department’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation said Williams, 27, died by a single shot from her division issued .45-caliber Glock firearm.

Coburn prefaced his remarks by saying his thoughts and prayers go out to Williams’ family. He said he doubts whether a reason or reasons for the suicide will ever be determined as no suicide note was found at the scene or at Williams’ home.

On Sunday at 9 p.m., state police responded to a call from a fisherman on Lake Nassau for an unresponsive female on the bank of Nassau Lake in the town of Nassau, Coburn said. The investigation at the scene revealed no signs of foul play, and as the probe continued into the death of the young woman wearing civilian clothing, it was determined that the body was that of Trooper Williams.

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Further investigation revealed that Williams used her division-issued firearm to commit suicide.

Williams, 27, was assigned to Troop F, State Police Liberty, resided in the town of Nassau and was an 18-month veteran of the State police, having joined the force in November 2012.

Coburn said Williams was a lifelong Nassau resident who was single and lived just across the road from where her body was found.

She last worked a shift June 26 and was off-duty at the time of her death.

“Trooper Williams always had a positive attitude and was eager to do a good job while on the road. She was well-liked by both her peers and supervisors and showed the skill set and potential to have an outstanding career with the New York State Police,” Major Patrick Regan, Troop F commander, wrote in a press release.

Regan added that Williams’ interaction with the public was always well-received.

Coburn said an employee assistance program will be made available to those who worked with the late trooper, those involved in the investigation, and Williams’ family.

“When I was told it was one of ours it was like getting punched in the gut,” Coburn said.